Peoria Woodruff High School "Warriors"

Peoria Woodruff High School Building

The History of Peoria Woodruff High School, in brief ...

Peoria (population: 113,000) is located in central Illinois along the Illinois River, and is deep in history. The community was once the home of the Peoria Indians, who were part of the Algonquin tribe, and were part of the Illinois Confederacy with the Tamaroa, Kaskaskia, Michigamea, and Cahokia tribes.

French explorers Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette were the first Europeans to come thru the area in 1673 as the French took over control of the land. That would change in 1765 when the British gained control after victory over the French in the French & Indian War. However, that would be short-lived as George Rogers Clark would claim the area for the state of Virginia in 1778.

The community began to take shape and grew as the country would go westward in the 19th century. Peoria would be incorporated as a town in 1835, then repeat the process as a city ten years later.

Interstate 74 is the major route in the area, with Interstate 474 being a bypass for those who wish to go around the city. Other routes include US 24 & 150, in addition to Illinois 6, 8, 29, 40, 91, and 116. Rail service is offered by ten different carriers, including BNSF, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific.

Woodruff High School was built in 1937 as a replacement for Kingman High School that was located in the Averyville neighborhood. You can read about Kingman High (and it's predecessor, Averyville High) HERE.

The school building, located at 1810 N. Perry, was built as a Works Project Administration concept (itself a concept of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" to help escape from the Great Depression). The architectulal firm of Jamison & Harrison of Peoria built the structure. The building was occupied on September 16, 1937 and a formal dedication ceremony was held on October 12. According to an article in the Peoria Journal, "taxpayers put more than $610,000 into the educational building." Woorduff High School was so named in honor of E.N. Woodruff, a ten-time mayor of Peoria.

Louis R. McDonald was the first principal of Woodruff, serving until 1969. As time passed, the school would see many changes. One of them was a change of the demographic of the neighborhood. During the 1960's, the school would experience some racial tension.

Peoria's overall population would also shift during the latter half of the 20th century. During the start of the 21st century, talks began to start about closing one of Peoria's public high schools (Peoria High and Peoria Manual are the other two). It was decided, after many years of studies, that Woodruff would close at the end of the 2009-10 school year.

Class of 1953 60th Reunion:

From John Keach, please click on the following link - http://1953whs.webs.com/. This site includes some great newspaper articles and photos regarding the Peoria Woodruff HS Class of 1953. Thank you for sharing John!

Peoria Woodruff High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1937

Year closed: 2010

Team nickname: "Warriors"

Uniform colors: Blue & Gold

Fight Song: Listed below:

Come and fight now Woodruff show what you can do;
We will keep our pep and also help to cheer for you;
So keep on fighting all the while and we'll win this game.
Always wear a cheery smile and we'll do the same, Rah! Rah! Rah!
Fight team, fight, Rah! Rah! Rah!
Fight team, fight, Rah! Rah! Rah!

Come on team now fight, U, Rah! Rah!
What's the matter with our team?
Why they're all right, That's the way they'll always be--
If they fight! fight! fight! Rah!

ATHLETICS

The Woodruff High School boys and girls competed in many sports. Woodruff also offered GAA programs up until State competition was offered as a result of Title IX. If you have any other facts regarding the athletic accomplishments of WHS please contact us via e-mail at eganann@sbcglobal.net.

BASEBALL

Tommy Correll founded the baseball program at Woodruff's predecessor, Kingman High, in the 1930's. Correll would coach the program until 1962 (with the exception of a brief stint). The program under Correll would win four District Championships, and took second place at the IHSA State Tournament in 1947. Woodruff also won three Regional championships in a span of ten years during the 1980's and 1990's.

1937-38 N.R.A. Coach Tommy Correll

1938-39 3 - 8 Coach Tommy Correll
1939-40 5 - 6 Coach Tommy Correll

1940-41 12-6 District Champions Coach Tommy Correll

1941-42   17-5-2                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1942-43   6 - 7                                                              Coach Tommy Correll
1943-44   12 - 6                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1944-45   13 - 5                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1945-46   17 - 4  District Champions                             Coach Tommy Correll

1946-47 19 - 3 IHSA State Tournament 2ND Place!! Coach Tommy Correll

District Champions

Sectional Champions

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Summit Argo 1 - 0 (11 innings)

Final 4 Finalist

Beat Chicago Gage Park 3 - 1

State Title Game

Lost to Belleville 1 - 0 (7 innings)

1947-48   12-8-2                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1948-49 12 - 10                                                           Coach Tommy Correll
1949-50   12-12-1                                                          Coach Tommy Correll
1950-51   11 - 7                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1951-52   13-6-2                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1952-53   15 - 8                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1953-54   18-2-1 District Champions                            Coach Tommy Correll
                          Illini Conference Champions
                          Greater Peoria Champions
1954-55   6 - 13                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1955-56   12 - 10                                                          Coach Tommy Correll
1956-57   7-10-1                                                           Coach Tommy Correll
1957-58   8 - 14                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1958-59   6 - 21                                                            Coach Jack Blakeman
1959-60   N.R.A.                                                           Coach Tommy Correll
1960-61 N.R.A.                                                           Coach Tommy Correll
1961-62   N.R.A.                                                           Coach Tommy Correll
1962-63   N.R.A.                                                           Coach Gerald McDermid
1963-64   3 - 7                                                              Coach Gerald McDermid
1964-65   10 - 8                                                            Coach Gerald McDermid
1965-66   N.R.A.                                                           Coach Gerald McDermid
1966-67   N.R.A.                                                           Coach Don Matthews

1986-87 N.R.A. Class AA Regional Champions

1987-88 N.R.A. Class AA Regional Champions
1994-95 N.R.A. Class AA Regional Champions

Chuck Rager was one of Woodruff's early baseball stars. In 1946, Rager had an unbelieveable start against city rival Spalding, striking out 22 of the minumum 27 batters! The 22 strikeouts in a game may have been an IHSA record until 1972.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Woodruff boys enjoyed many successes on the hardwood. They made two trips to the Huff Gym on the campus of the University of Illinois for the IHSA State Tournament. In addition to coaching baseball, Tommy Correll also coached basketball from the Kingman days into the 1960's. He compiled 307 career wins during this time. The success comtinued under coach Jim Ingold with a Sectional championship in 1971. Four more Regional championships were won by the Woodruff boys after that, including three in a span of six years (1975-81).

Submitted by John Keach (left click on image to view larger version)

Woodruff played on two different gym floors in it's history. A newer gym was built in 1978.

1937-38 15 - 8 Coach Tommy Correll

1938-39 23 - 6 IHSA Elite 8 Finalist!! Coach Tommy Correll
Sectional Champions

Sweet 16 Finalist

Beat Gillespie 45 - 39

Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Paris 51 - 42

Paris would finish in 2nd Place

1939-40   15 - 13                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1940-41   17 - 7                                                              Coach Tommy Correll
1941-42   23 - 5                                                              Coach Tommy Correll
1942-43   15 - 11                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1943-44   14 - 11                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1944-45   14 - 8                                                              Coach Tommy Correll
1945-46   9 - 11                                                              Coach Tommy Correll

1946-47   18 - 7     Regional Champions                        Coach Tommy Correll
1947-48   12 - 11                                                            Coach Tommy Correll
1948-49   8 - 19     Regional Champions                        Coach Tommy Correll

Ten losses forfeited
1949-50 9 - 14 Coach Tommy Correll

1950-51   20 - 7   IHSA Elite 8 Finalist!!                         Coach Tommy Correll
                           Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

Sweet 16 Finalist

Beat Odell St. Paul 76 - 62

Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Decatur HS 73 - 50

Decatur would finish in 4th place.

1951-52   14 - 8                                                               Coach Tommy Correll
1952-53   12 - 13                                                             Coach Tommy Correll
1953-54   20 - 4                                                               Coach Tommy Correll
1954-55   14 - 11                                                             Coach Tommy Correll
1955-56   8 - 16                                                               Coach Tommy Correll
1956-57   13 - 10                                                             Coach Tommy Correll
1957-58   6 - 18                                                               Coach Tommy Correll
1958-59   1 - 21                                                               Coach Tommy Correll
1959-60 4 - 16    Final season under Correll                     Coach Tommy Correll
1960-61   12 - 10                                                             Coach Don Matthews
1961-62   13 - 5    Regional Champions                          Coach Don Matthews
1962-63   9 - 13                                                               Coach Don Matthews
1963-64   17 - 10  Regional Champions                          Coach Don Matthews
1965-66   N.R.A.                                                             Coach Don Matthews
1966-67   5 - 13                                                               Coach Don Matthews

1970-71   10 - 17 IHSA 'AA' Sweet 16 Finalist!               Coach Jim Ingold
                           Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

Sweet 16 Finalist

Lost to Springfield Lanphier 81 - 68

Lanphier would place 4th.

1974-75               IHSA 'AA' Regional Champions
1975-76               IHSA 'AA' Regional Champions
1980-81              IHSA 'AA' Regional Champions
1990-91              IHSA 'AA' Regional Champions
1999-00    4 - 22                                                            Coach Ed Brooks
2000-01    11 - 16                                                          Coach Ed Brooks


BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

The ONLY Athletic State Championship in Woodruff High School History came from the Boys Cross Country program in 1952. The State Meet was held in Peoria that year, which proved to be a home course advantage. Coach Roy Gummerson was in charge of a very successful Cross Country program since Woodruff's inception in 1937. In a span of nine years, the program placed in the Top 10 at State eight times (1946-54). Gummerson left Woodruff in 1955 for Oak Park and River Forest High School, where his teams had four more top ten finishes before retiring in 1977.

Even after Gummerson's departure Woodruff had success, with another State Top 10 finish in 1956 and had three more state qualifying efforts throughout the rest of it's history.

1937-38     N.R.A.                                                         Coach Roy Gummerson
1938-39     2 - 0                                                            Coach Roy Gummerson
1939-40     6 - 0    Geneseo Invite Champions             Coach Roy Gummerson
                           Kewanee Invite Champions
                           Woodruff Invite Champions
1940-41     4 - 0                                                            Coach Roy Gummerson
1941-42     1-2-1                                                           Coach Roy Gummerson
1942-43    N.R.A.                                                         Coach Roy Gummerson
1943-44     N.R.A.                                                         Coach Roy Gummerson
1944-45     N.R.A.                                                         Coach Roy Gummerson
1945-46     N.R.A.                                                         Coach Roy Gummerson

1946-47 N.R.A. 10th at STATE!! Coach Roy Gummerson

Final Team Standings

                         1. Paris                                 90
                         2. Chicago Lane                    102
                         3. LaGrange Lyons                115
                        4. Chicago Harrison               147
                        5. Chicago Heights Bloom      149

                         6. East St. Louis                    218
                        7. Moline                               249
                        8. Christopher                        268
                        9. LaSalle-Peru                      289
                         10. Woodruff                        316

1947-48 N.R.A. 9th at STATE!! Coach Roy Gummerson

Final Team Standings

1. Paris 30

                         2. Des Plaines Maine Twp.    89
                        3. Chicago Lane                   107
                        4. Chicago Schurz                125
                        5. Rock Island                      142
                        6. Maywood Proviso Twp.      156
                        7. Collinsville                        167
                        8. Springfield                        168
                         9. Woodruff**                       170
                         10. LaSalle-Peru                 237

**Woodruff Individual Medalist: Moore (Third)

1948-49 7 - 0 Illini Conference Champions Coach Roy Gummerson
Geneseo Invite Champions

1949-50     5 - 0    4th at STATE!!                                  Coach Roy Gummerson
                           Illini Conference Champions
                           Normal Invite Champions
                           Kewanee Invite Champions
                           Greater Peoria Champions

Final Team Standings

                         1. Paris                                36
                         2. Evanston                          72
                        3. Downers Grove                  87
                         4. Woodruff                        103
                         5. Chicago Steinmetz           127
                         6. Rock Island                      129
                         7. Collinsville                        179
                        8. Marseilles                        186
                         9. Buffalo Tri-City                  224

1950-51     5 - 1    4th at STATE!!                                  Coach Roy Gummerson
                           Illini Conference Champions
                           Geneseo Invite Champions

Final Team Standings

1. Chicago Heights Bloom 49

                         2. Paris                               70
                        3. Des Plaines Maine Twp.    99
                        4. Woodruff                        104
                        5. Lincoln                            117
                         6. Chicago Englewood          126
                        7. Moline                             155
                         8.  East Alton-Wood River      165
                         9. Christopher                      248

1951-52     3 - 0    3rd at STATE!!                                  Coach Roy Gummerson
                           Illini Conference Champions
                           Geneseo Invite Champions

Final Team Standings

1. Urbana 21

                         2. LaGrange Lyons                61
                        3. Woodruff**                       72
                         4. Franklin Park Leyden         85
                         5. Dixon                               139
                         6.  East Alton-Wood River      179
                         7. Christopher                       183
                         8. Moline                              197
                        9. Marseilles                         252

**Woodruff Indivdual Medalists: Charles Hakes (Eighth)

Tom Walton (Ninth)

1952-53 7 - 0 STATE CHAMPIONS!!!! Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions

Final Team Standings

                         1. Woodruff**                       37
                         2. Urbana                             80
                        3. Evanston                          87
                         4. Geneseo                          104
                         5. Chicago Heights Bloom     109

                         6. Alton                               132
                         7. Marseilles                        193
                         8. Dixon                               213
                         9. Chicago Austin                 215
                         10. Christopher                     302

**Woodruff Individual Medalists: Charles Hakes (CHAMPION!!)

1953-54 6 - 0 4th at STATE!! Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions

Final Team Standings

1. Evanston 111

                         2. Toledo Cumberland            119
                         3. Alton                                136
                         4. Woodruff                         144
                         5. Urbana                             149
                         6. Geneseo                          172
                         7. Maywood Proviso Twp.      178
                        8. LaGrange Lyons                179
                         9. Rockford East                   206
                         10. Dixon                             257

1954-55     11 - 1 STATE RUNNER-UP!!!!                      Coach Roy Gummerson
                           Illini Conference Champions
                           21-meet winning streak snapped

Final Team Standings

                         1. Maywood Proviso Twp.         71
                         2. Woodruff**                         121
                         3. Alton                                  140
                         4. Urbana                                155
                         5. Toledo Cumberland              158
                         6. Oak Park and River Forest   185
                        7. Geneseo                             210
                        8. Peoria Central                      218
                         9. LaGrange Lyons                  234
                         10. Dixon                                237

**Woodruff Individual Medalist: Bill Norton (Ninth)

1955-56 N.R.A. Coach John Wilkerson

1956-57 7 - 2 9th at STATE!! Coach John Wilkerson

Final Team Standings

                         1. LaGrange Lyons                  102
                        2. Rock Falls                          113
                         3. Chicago Englewood             151
                         4. Maywood Proviso Twp.         156
                         5. Alton                                   171
                         6. Rockford East                     197
                         7. Downers Grove                    205
                        7. Edwardsville                        205
                        9. Woodruff**                         242
                         10. Moline                              252

**Woodruff Individual Medalist: Bill Gillingham (Second!)

1957-58 2 - 6 Bill Gillingham Third at State! Coach Don Matthews
1958-59 6 - 6 Coach Don Matthews

1959-60 10 - 1 State Qualifiers! Coach Don Matthews
Mid-State 8 Conference Champs

1961-62     7 - 3                                                            Coach Don Matthews
1962-63     0 - 7                                                            Coach Don Matthews
1963-64     5-4-1                                                           Coach Ralph Ginn

1974-75 N.R.A. State Qualifiers!

1976-77 N.R.A. Class AA State Qualifiers!

2005-06 3 - 3 Coach Brien Dunphy
2006-07 4 - 2 Coach Brien Dunphy

BOYS FOOTBALL

Woodruff teams qualified for the IHSA Playoffs six times throughout its history. Before the days of the State Playoffs, Woodruff had two unbeaten seasons. The first one was in 1955, which would be regarded as one of the best seasons in not only Peoria history, but perhaps State history as well. The Virgil Boucher-coached team outscored opponents 285-7 in ten wins! The other unbeaten season was in 1957. Woodruff's lone playoff win occurred in 1986.

1937-38    1 - 6                                                             Coach Tommy Correll
1938-39    1 - 5 - 2                                                        Coach Tommy Correll
1939-40    7 - 3 - 1                                                        Coach Tommy Correll
1940-41   2 - 5 - 1                                                        Coach Tommy Correll
1941-42   3 - 4 - 1                                                        Coach Tommy Correll
1942-43    1 - 7 - 2                                                        Coach Tommy Correll
1943-44    2 - 7                                                             Coach Tommy Correll
1944-45    4 - 5 - 1                                                        Coach Tommy Correll
1945-46    7 - 3                                                             Coach Tommy Correll
1946-47    3 - 6 - 1                                                        Coach Virgil Boucher
1947-48    2 - 8                                                             Coach Virgil Boucher
1948-49    6 - 4                                                             Coach Virgil Boucher
1949-50    2 - 6 - 1                                                        Coach Virgil Boucher
1950-51    5 - 3 - 2                                                        Coach Virgil Boucher
1951-52    6 - 4                                                             Coach Virgil Boucher
1952-53    7 - 1 - 2                                                        Coach Virgil Boucher
1953-54    7 - 2 - 1                                                        Coach Virgil Boucher
1954-55    8 - 1 - 1                                                        Coach Virgil Boucher

1955-56    10 - 0    Illini Conference Champions          Coach Virgil Boucher
                             City Champions
                             Greater Peoria Champions
                             Outscored opponents 285-7!!

1956-57    8 - 1 - 1                                                        Coach Virgil Boucher
1957-58    9 - 0 - 1 Unbeaten Season                          Coach Virgil Boucher
1958-59    5 - 5                                                             Coach Virgil Boucher
1959-60    2 - 8                                                             Coach Virgil Boucher
1960-61    5 - 5                                                             Coach Virgil Boucher
1961-62   4 - 6                                                             Coach Virgil Boucher
1963-64    6 - 3 - 1                                                        Coach Virgil Boucher
1964-65    1 - 8                                                             Coach Virgil Boucher
1965-66    1 - 9                                                             Coach Virgil Boucher
1966-67    N.R.A.                                                          Coach Carl Traficano

1978-79 N.R.A. Class 4A Playoff Qualifier Coach William Sissel
Lost to LaSalle-Peru 18-12

LP would be runner-up

1986-87 N.R.A. Class 4A Playoff Qualifier Coach Mike Bresko

Beat Champaign Central 39-20*

Lost to Springfield Griffin 10-7

                                        *Only Playoff win in school history
1987-88    N.R.A.   Class 4A Playoff Qualifier               Coach Mike Bresko
                             Lost to Geneseo 27-7

1994-95    0 - 9                                                             Coach Graylin McLeod
1995-96    2 - 7                                                             Coach Graylin McLeod
1996-97    3 - 6                                                             Coach Graylin McLeod
1997-98    0 - 9                                                             Coach Graylin McLeod
1998-99    2 - 7                                                             Coach Graylin McLeod
1999-00    2 - 7                                                             Coach Graylin McLeod
2000-01    4 - 5                                                             Coach Graylin McLeod
2001-02    2 - 7                                                             Coach Graylin McLeod
2002-03    2 - 7                                                             Coach Jim Donahue
2003-04    3 - 6                                                             Coach Jim Donahue
2004-05    0 - 9                                                             Coach Tim Thornton
2005-06    2 - 7                                                             Coach Tim Thornton
2006-07    7 - 3   Class 5A Playoff Qualifier                  Coach Tim Thornton

                          Lost to Taylorville 36-12
2007-08    7 - 3   Class 5A Playoff Qualifier                  Coach Tim Thornton
                          Lost to Normal U-High 24-6

2008-09 7 - 3 Class 5A Playoff Qualifier Coach Tim Thornton
Lost to Dunlap 35-34

2009-10 2 - 7 School's final season Coach Tim Thornton

one win forfeited

Total win-loss record: 270 wins, 397 losses, 19 ties.

BOYS GOLF

The Woodruff Golf program started at Kingman in 1933. The golfers of 1938-39 did real well, placing in the top five at the State Meet. Harry Landis coached the golfers in Woodruff's early days until 1944. Coach Armitage took over in 1945, followed by Roland Sanders (1946-1949), Harold Burkholder (1950-1958) and P. Englebrecht from 1959 into the 1960s. Walt Durdle was a three-time state medalist for Woodruff, winning the State Championship in 1951! Larry Walden was a top five finisher in 1957. Below are some of the records we've researched. If you have more to add, please let us know.

1937-38 5-4-1 Coach Harry Landis

1938-39 12-1-1 5th at STATE!! Coach Harry Landis

District Champions

Final Team Standings

                          1. LaGrange Lyons                         10 pts.
                          2. Highland Park Deerfield-Shields   10 pts.
                         3. Urbana                                       8 pts.
                          4. Danville                                      6 pts.
                          5. Woodruff                                  4 pts.
                          6. Galesburg                                  3 pts.
                          7. Antioch                                      2 pts.

1939-40 6-10-1 Coach Harry Landis

1940-41 2-5-1 Coach Harry Landis

1948-49 N.R.A. Walt Durdle 4th at STATE Coach Roland Sanders

1949-50 N.R.A. Durdle 9th at STATE Coach Harold Burkholder

1950-51 N.R.A. DURDLE WINS STATE MEET!! Coach Harold Burkholder

Illini Conference Champions

Conference Meet Individual Scores

Dick Heise - 75, Walt Durdle - 76,

Jim Stone - 77, John Rowe - 78

1956-57 7 - 6 STATE QUALIFIERS Coach Harold Burkholder

District Champions

Larry Walden 4th at STATE

1959-60 7-4-1 Coach P. Englebrecht

1961-62 12 - 4 Coach P. Englebrecht

1962-63 4-9-2 Coach P. Englebrecht

1963-64 1 - 3 Coach P. Englebrecht

BOYS SOCCER

Despite not winning any postseason championships, the Woodruff Boys Soccer team had four ten-win seasons during the 1980's. Below are some of the records we've researched. If you have more to add, please let us know.

1979-80 5 - 10 Coach Chris Perry

1980-81 3 - 11 - 2 Coach Chris Perry

1981-82 9 - 8 - 1 Coach Chris Perry

1982-83 12 - 3 - 1 Good Season Coach Chris Perry

1983-84 10 - 7 - 1 Coach Chris Perry

1984-85 10 - 10 - 1 Coach Chris Perry

1985-86 5 - 14 Coach Chris Perry

1986-87 2 - 17 Coach Chris Perry

1987-88 13 - 8 Good Season Coach Thom Lacy

BOYS TENNIS

The Boys Tennis program began the same year Woodruff was founded, 1937. Bill Draglin was the program's first coach. Armitage took over the following year and coached until Paul Culver took over in 1947. Football coach Virgil Boucher took over the tennis helm in 1952 and coached until Byron McCormick took over in 1956. The program's only postseason success came in 2000 when coach Pete Sanflip's team won the Sectional Championship. Below are some of the records we've researched. If you have more to add, please let us know.

1938-39 0 - 6 - 1 Coach Bill Draglin

1939-40 N.R.A. Coach Armitage

1940-41 0 - 6 - 2 Coach Armitage

1941-42 2 - 4 - 3 Coach Armitage

1954-55 5 - 4 Coach Virgil Boucher

1955-56 4 - 8 Coach Brian McCormick

1956-57 1 - 9 Coach Brian McCormick

1957-58 2 - 9 Coach Brian McCormick

1958-59 5 - 5 Coach Brian McCormick

1962-63 9 - 9 Coach Brian McCormick

1963-64 3 - 17 Coach Brian McCormick

1964-65 1 - 18 Coach Brian McCormick

1965-66 8 - 12 Coach Brian McCormick

1999-00 N.R.A. Sectional Champions! Coach Pete Sanflip

Alex Gomez Sectional Champ!

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Roy Gummerson also had a fine Track and Field program at Woodruff in addition to Cross Country. The Woodruff harriers won five District Championships in a span of six years from 1950 to 1955. Below are some of the records we've researched. If you have more to add, please let us know.

In addition to team success, ten Woodruff individuals placed at the IHSA State Meet. Two athletes, Jerry Kats and Torry King, took home STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS in the 120-yard hurdles and the discus, respectively.

Season Summaries

1941-42 1 - 1 - 1 Coach Roy Gummerson

1942-43 6 - 0 Greater Peoria Champions Coach Roy Gummerson

Lincoln Relay Champions

1943-44 4 - 4 Coach Roy Gummerson

1944-45 0 - 2 Coach Roy Gummerson

1946-47 6 - 0 Coach Roy Gummerson

1947-48 5 - 1 Coach Roy Gummerson

1949-50 8 - 1 District Champions Coach Roy Gummerson

Illini Conference Champions

Kewanee Invite Champions

1950-51 7 - 0 District Champions Coach Roy Gummerson

Illini Conference Champions

Kewanee Invite Champions

Geneseo Invite Champions

Normal Invite Champions

1951-52 8 - 0 District Champions Coach Roy Gummerson

Illini Conference Champions

1952-53 8 - 0 District Champions Coach Roy Gummerson

Illini Conference Champions

1953-54 6 - 2 Coach Roy Gummerson

1954-55 9 - 0 District Champions Coach Roy Gummerson

Illini Conference Champions

Kewanee Invite Champions

1955-56 3 - 0 Illini Conference Champions Coach John Wilkerson

Decatur Invite Champions

Normal Invite Champions

Woodruff Invite Champions

1956-57 3 - 0 Illini Conference Champions Coach John Wilkerson

Greater Peoria Champions

Normal Invite Champions

Woodruff Invite Champions

1957-58 6 - 0 Illini Conference Champions Coach Charley Gross

Final Year for Illini Conference

Normal Invite Champions

1958-59 9 - 1 Mid-State Conference Runner-up Coach Charley Gross

1959-60 N.R.A. Coach Charley Gross

1960-61 N.R.A. Coach Charley Gross

1961-62 3 - 4 Coach Charley Gross

1962-63 2 - 3 - 1 Coach Ralph Ginn

1963-64 0 - 7 Coach Ralph Ginn

1964-65 N.R.A. Coach Ralph Ginn

1965-66 1 - 5 Coach Ralph Ginn

Individual Medalists

1947-48 Jerry Kats STATE CHAMPION 120-Yard Hurdles

1948-49 Joel McNulty 2nd Place 120-Yard Hurdles

1951-52 Names N/A 3rd Place One-Mile Relay

1951-52 Charles Hakes 4th Place One-Mile Run

1952-53 Charles Hakes 2nd Place One-Mile Run

1955-56 Names N/A 5th Place One-Mile Relay

1956-57 Paul Moore 5th Place 180-Yard Hurdles

1957-58 Will Gillingham 4th Place 880-Yard Run

---all above before class expansion

1979-80 Joe Wyatt 6th Place 400-Meter Dash

1984-85 Trenton Harper 7th Place 400-Meter Dash

1989-90 Torry King STATE CHAMPION Discus

6th Place Shot Put

1990-91 Warfield O'Lawrence 2nd Place Discus

1990-91 Walter Young 7th Place 300-Meter Hurdles

---all above in Class AA

BOYS WRESTLING

Wrestling was organized at Woodruff in 1941. The Woodruff wrestling program won seven Regional championships and three District championships. Of the seven Regional championships, four of them were won in a five-year span in the early 1990's, and the other three were won consecutively during the late 2000's. Below are some of the records we've researched. If you have more to add, please let us know.

In addition to team success, 11 Woodruff individuals placed at the IHSA State Meet. Two athletes, Vern Jones and Jeff Sutherland took home STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS! Jones did so in the very first year of the program's existance, in 1942.

During Coach Jim Querciagrossa's tenure as Warrior head coach, Woodruff wrestling compiled a win-loss record of 303-102 with six ties from 1968-92. Twenty-two of those seasons wound up with winning records, and WHS wrestling won five conference titles as well as four regionals. His son, Jayson, took over the program and won 165 matches along with six conference titles and three regional plaques.

Season Summaries

1941-42 1 - 3 Vern Jones wins STATE! Coaches name N/A

1952-53 5 - 9 Coach Charley Gross

1954-55 8 - 8 Coach Charley Gross

1955-56 10-7-1 Coach Charley Gross

1956-57 5-10-1 Coach Charley Gross

1957-58 15 - 7 Coach Charley Gross

1958-59 9 - 7 District Champions Coach Charley Gross
1961-62 District Champions Coach Charley Gross

1963-64 3 - 7 Coach Charley Gross

1966-67 2 - 8 Coach Charley Gross
1981-82 Class 'AA' District Champs Coach Jim Querciagrossa

1989-90              Jeff Sutherland wins STATE! Coach Jim Querciagrossa
1990-91              Class 'AA' Regional Champs  Coach Jim Querciagrossa
1991-92    24-1    Class 'AA' Regional Champs  Coach JIm Querciagrossa
1992-93              Class 'AA' Regional Champs  Coach Paul Bussone
1994-95              Class 'AA' Regional Champs  Coach Paul Bussone
2006-07              Class 'AA' Regional Champs  Coach Jayson Querciagrossa
2007-08              Class 'AA' Regional Champs  Coach Jayson Querciagrossa
2008-09   17-5   Class '2A' Regional Champs  Coach Jayson Querciagrossa

2009-10 17-8 Final season Coach Jayson Querciagrossa

Individual Medalists

1941-42   Vern Jones                 STATE CHAMPION           125 lbs.
1942-43   Robert Alberti             4th Place                          165 lbs.
1950-51   Bob Schoch               4th Place                          138 lbs.
1951-52   Jerry Werner              4th Place                           Heavyweight
1972-73   James Taylor             5th Place                           Heavyweight
--all above before class expansion
1973-74   James Taylor              3rd Place                           Heavyweight
1978-79   Steve Little                 3rd Place                           Heavyweight
1982-83   Scott Gordon               6th Place                           119 lbs.
1989-90   Jeff Sutherland          STATE CHAMPION            160 lbs.
1991-92   Jayson Querciagrossa  4th Place                           140 lbs.
1995-96   Tim Thornton                4th Place                           275 lbs.
1997-98   Dan Thornton               3rd Place                           275 lbs.
---all above in Class AA

BOYS BOWLING

Bowling was considered a new sport when Woodruff opened her doors in 1937, and over the years a team would organize at different times. The first meets were against fellow Peoria schools Central, Manual and Spalding. Clem Colgan was the first coach of the program. We've only been able to find one year with a documented win-loss record. If you have more to add, please let us know.

1942-43 6 - 8 Coach W. G. Carlin

BOXING

Large schools of the 1920s and 1930s sometimes offered boxing as an interscholastic sport. Woodruff had a boxing program for its first three years of existance. The 1937-38 team was coached by Bill Draglin and the 1938-39 team was coached by Al Schurra. The latter name may be familiar to those in the Peoria boxing scene, as Schurra was a boxer himself.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The girls basketball program at Woodruff won five Class AA Regional championships. The 2002-03 team was exceptionally good, as they were a Sweet 16 Finalist with a 28-4 record! We are looking for more records regarding Woodruff Girls Basketball.

1984-85              Class 'AA' Regional Champs
2001-02              Class 'AA' Regional Champs

2002-03   28 - 4   Class 'AA' Sweet 16 Finalist!          Coach Steve Harper
                          Regional Champions
                          Sectional Champions
                          Sweet 16 Finalist
                          Lost to Champaign Centennial 61-58
                          Centennial lost in Elite 8 round

2003-04              Class 'AA' Regional Champs
2005-06              Class 'AA' Regional Champs

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

We are looking for more records regarding Woodruff Girls Cross Country.

2005-06    2 - 3                                                    Coach Mike Lewellyn
2006-07    0 - 3                                                    Coach Mike Lewellyn

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

The Woodruff Volleyball program had a couple of tastes of postseason success, one of which was during the early years of IHSA volleyball.

1974-75 District Champions
1982-83 Class 'AA' Regional Champs

ACTIVITIES

The Woodruff High School boys and girls also participated in many activities. If you have any other facts regarding the activity accomplishments of WHS please contact us via e-mail at eganann@sbcglobal.net.

DEBATE

The Woodruff Debate team could sure get their message across. During the 1950s, Woodruff debate teams placed in the Top Five in the IHSA State Meet FIVE times! The program won six Sectional meets during its existence. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.

1947-48      Sectional Champions
1952-53      STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1953-54       Sectional Champions
                   3rd at STATE!!
1955-56       STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1956-57       Sectional Champions
                   4th at STATE!!
1957-58       4th at STATE!!
1963-64       Sectional Champions
                  STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1964-65       Sectional Champions

DRAMA

Woodruff's Drama department put up great performances, especially during the 1980s when they placed in the Top 10 at the IHSA State Meet seven times in ten years! In all, Woodruff clubs placed in the IHSA State Meet Top 10 eleven times in 40 years, qualified for State 16 times, and won nine Sectionals, three Regionals and one District championship. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.

1949-50        5th at STATE!!
                    Sectional Champions
1957-58        Sectional Champions
1958-59        5th at STATE!!
1965-66        STATE RUNNER-UP!!
                    Sectional Champions
1966-67        Sectional Champions
1971-72        Sectional Champions
1974-75        District Champions
1978-79        9th at STATE!!
1979-80        8th at STATE!!
1981-82        7th at STATE!!
                    Sectional Champions
1982-83        6th at STATE!!
                   Sectional Champions
                   Regional Champions
1983-84        7th at STATE!!
1985-86        7th at STATE!!
                   Sectional Champions
1986-87        State Qualifiers
1987-88        7th at STATE!!
                   Sectional Champions
                   Regional Champions
1988-89        9th at STATE!!
                   Regional Champions
1996-97       State Qualifiers

GROUP INTERPRETATION

The Woodruff Group Interp club qualified for the IHSA State Meet six times in a span of 13 years from 1984 to 1997. They enjoyed one IHSA State top ten finish in 1984. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.

1983-84        7th at STATE!!
                   Regional Champions
1986-87        State Qualifiers
1989-90        State Qualifiers
1990-91        State Qualifiers
1991-92        State Qualifiers
                    Sectional Champions
1996-97        State Qualifiers

SPEECH SWEEPSTAKES

The Woodruff Debate team could sure get their message across. The program brought home Woodruff's first activity STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in the 1965-66 school year! In a span of less than 20 years, Woodruff teams placed in the IHSA State Meet top ten a total of ten times! Seven Sectional championships and two District championships were won. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.

1947-48        7th at STATE!!
                   Sectional Champions
1949-50        6th at STATE!!
                   Sectional Champions
1950-51        Sectional Champions
1952-53        8th at STATE!!
1953-54        STATE RUNNER-UP!!
                    Sectional Champions
1954-55        Sectional Champions
                    District Champions
1955-56        STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1957-58        Sectional Champions
                    District Champions
1959-60        7th at STATE!!
                    Sectional Champions
1963-64        5th at STATE!!
1964-65        10th at STATE!!

1965-66 STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!

1966-67 3rd at STATE!!

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

The Woodruff boys and girls of the "IE" club could certainly perform well. The program brought home another Woodruff activity STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in the 1966-67 school year! Throughout its history, the club placed in the IHSA State Meet top ten 17 times in 60 years, including 11 times in a span of 24 years. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.

Season Summaries

1940-41       3rd at STATE!!
1947-48       3rd at STATE!!
1949-50       6th at STATE!!
1953-54       STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1954-55       10th at STATE!!
1955-56       STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1959-60       STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1961-62       6th at STATE!!
1962-63       9th at STATE!!
1964-65       8th at STATE!!
                   Sectional Champions
1965-66       4th at STATE!!
                   District Champions

1966-67       STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!
                   Sectional Champions
                   District Champions

1967-68       7th at STATE!!
                   Sectional Champions
1968-69       District Champions
1971-72       Sectional Champions
1979-80       6th at STATE!!
1981-82       10th at STATE!!
1983-84       Sectional Champions
                   Regional Champions
1992-93       5th at STATE!!
                   Regional Champions
1993-94       Regional Champions
1996-97       9th at STATE!!
                  Sectional Champions
                  Regional Champions
1997-98       Sectional Champions
                  Regional Champions
1999-00       Regional Champions
2000-01       Sectional Champions                             Advisor Pete Sanfilip

State Meet Efforts (sorted by placing)

Year Name Place Event

1941   Lyle Crawford      STATE CHAMPION        Original Oratory
1948   Stanley Rives       STATE CHAMPION        Original Oratory
1950   James Beches     STATE CHAMPION        Original Oratory
1954   Richard Mathison STATE CHAMPION        Oratorical Declamation
1956   John Harris          STATE CHAMPION        Original Oratory
          Richard Venesky STATE CHAMPION        Extemporaneous
1962   Steve Arnold        STATE CHAMPION        Comedy
1967   Dan Taylor           STATE CHAMPION        Extemporaneous
1968 Sue Schelly         STATE CHAMPION        Prose
1979   Bruce Thompson  STATE CHAMPION        Radio
1982   Mark Crede          STATE CHAMPION        Radio
1989   Mike Riley            STATE CHAMPION        Original Oratory
1991   Rachel Delap        STATE CHAMPION       Original Oratory
1992   Andrew Morris      STATE CHAMPION        Verse
1995   James Butler        STATE CHAMPION        Humor Interpretation

1954   Spero Margaris       2nd Place                      Original Oratory
1960   James Bond           2nd Place                      Extemporaneous
1961   James Bond           2nd Place                      Extemporaneous
1963   Nick Georgianni      2nd Place                      Original Oratory
1964   Cliff Shell               2nd Place                     Radio
1966   Dan Taylor              2nd Place                     Extemporaneous
1967   Roger Leach           2nd Place                     Serious
1980   Dan Allar                2nd Place                     Radio
1993   Mindy Hammontree 2nd Place                     Drama Duet
          Andrew Morris        2nd Place                      Drama Duet
1997   Tagwana Holmes    2nd Place                      Oratorical Declamation

1963   Nick Georgianna     3rd Place                      Oratorical Declamation
1965   Marcia Schunk       3rd Place                      Prose
1969   Marty Sausser        3rd Place                      Comedy

1948   Mary Hoffman         4th Place                      Serious
1949   James Baches        4th Place                     Original Oratory
1954   Joy Randolph          4th Place                     Serious
1960   John Schunk           4th Place                     Original Oratory
1965   Sally Cleaver           4th Place                     Verse
1966   Dan Mitchell            4th Place                     Original Comedy
1967   Charlene Willis        4th Place                     Original Oratory
1980   Dan Allar                 4th Place                     Drama Duet
          Jim Loar                  4th Place                     Drama Duet
1988   David Ellison           4th Place                      Radio
1993   Andrew Morris         4th Place                     Prose
          Patrick Murray        4th Place                     Radio
1999   Scott Pyle              4th Place                     Humor Duet
          Joe Stoltz               4th Place                    Humor Duet
2001   Scott Pyle              4th Place                     Original Comedy

1951   William Linsley       5th Place                    Extemporaneous
1954   David Sills              5th Place                     Verse
1958 Phillip Owen           5th Place                     Extemporaneous
1959 Phillip Owen           5th Place                     Extemporaneous
1970 Mark Absher           5th Place                     After Dinner
1973 Ron Rudd               5th Place                     Dramatic Interpretation
1980 Peggy Gerkin          5th Place                    Original Oratory
1989 Stephen Pearce      5th Place                    Original Comedy
1992   Michelle Burr          5th Place                     Drama Duet
          Andrew Morris        5th Place                     Drama Duet
1996   Tracy Draksler        5th Place                     Special Occasion
1997   Dennis Warr           5th Place                    Original Oratory
1998   Tuan Ngo               5th Place                     Impromptu

1985   Lamont Robinson    6th Place                    Humor Interpretation
1988   Mike Riley              6th Place                    Original Oratory
1990   Dawn Robb             6th Place                    Radio
1996   Cherita Freeman      6th Place                   Oratorical Declamation
1997   Brandon Shockley   6th Place                   Original Comedy

SCHOLASTIC BOWL

The Woodruff "Schol Bowl" team qualified for the IHSA State Meet in 1986-87 and 1991-92. Advisor Chuck Fabish was in charge of the team during both of these runs. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.

1986-87   6 - 2      State Qualfiiers                                Advisor Chuck Fabish
                           Sectional Champions
1991-92   35 - 10   State Qualifiers                               Advisor Chuck Fabish
                            Sectional Champions
2006-07 N.R.A.      Advisors Farley and Roffman

IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ...

There's a lot more to Woodruff High School than athletics, and the athletic records. We'd like to make this page even bigger with personal memories you may have about the school (and we know there are plenty of them).

Among the many things we are looking for about Woodruff, include gaps in our athletic information, noteable alumni, teachers, and academia.

If you have any further information you would like to share regarding Woodruff High School before its closure, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.. You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631